going away for Christmas (travelling on 24th) - when should we give presents?

[ErnesttheBavarian]

The kids have school up to and on 23rd and don't want to give presents without dh there. He tends to be home v late the week before a holiday, so evenings likely to be tricky. Also want it to be Christmassy iyswim rather than just bunging a couple of presents at them. And don't want them to just have 2 minutes to rip the wrapping paper off, see what they've got, then have to go to bed/school /airport. We fly early on morning of 24th.

As we are flying, no way can we bring their presents with us.

We return on the 3rd Jan. Ds2 has birthday on 2nd Jan, so we come back day after his birthday, and he'll also have birthday presents.

So, when would be best to give them their presents? (They will get a couple in England on Christmas day itself )

My DD2 is flying away for 7 weeks on the 24th as well and we're all 12 to 14 of us meeting in London for a nice xmas lunch in a restaurant (we're asking everyone to contribute a certain amount towards it) on the sunday before and we'll exchange gifts then.
As we're having xmas in Fr. (where we live for 6 months of the year) and only DD1 is actually coming over as far as we know ATM.

So a whole week early, on 18th? hmmm, maybe,

I'm sure the kids wouldn't complain, just feels weird. Dunno if I can even be arsed to spin the santa yarn for dd, I mean, presents in Germany a week early. Presents in England a week later...

Enjoy your meal and france :)

Well, there will be a lot of separated families having alternative Christmas days, I don't think it's so unusual. I think the DC would rather have them early and enjoy them before travelling somewhere else for Christmas. You can make an occasion of it with a special meal, treats and possibly an outing. The celebrations and present opening can be extended and enjoyed for longer, rather than it all happen and be over on one day. Also, nice for the DC to come back to their early gifts when the Christmas week is over.

Santa is incredibly resourceful, and can find solutions to a lot of present delivery difficulties!

I hadn't thought about separated families tbh as we (nuclear family) are all together, and the wider family will be all together iyswim. but you're right, thanks. And consensus, which I hadn't thought of, is the weekend prior. So I'll make a special day of the Sunday. Wow, the kids will be made up! Thanks.

We wemt away last year and had the grandparents the Sunday before we went. We did the whole christmas day with the presents from them and that Father christmas couldnt get to Australia! Then we took small things and stockings with us. It was great